Japan 'should develop nuclear weapons' to counter North Korea threat

Japan is facing growing calls to scrap its constitutional ban on nuclear weapons in the face of an increasing threat from North Korea.

Shoichi Nakagawa (pictured), suggested that Japan should examine the possibility of defending itself from potential attacks from North Korea by obtaining nuclear weaponsPhoto: REUTERS

By Danielle Demetriou in Tokyo

12:20PM BST 20 Apr 2009

A senior Japanese politician has called for Japan to discuss allowing nuclear weapons within its pacifist constitution.

Shoichi Nakagawa, former finance minister, suggested that Japan should examine the possibility of defending itself from potential attacks from North Korea by obtaining nuclear weapons.

"It is common sense worldwide that in a purely military sense it is nuclear that can counteract nuclear," Mr Nakagawa, a conservative politician, was quoted as saying by Kyodo News in a speech in his constituency in northern Japan.

Mr Nakagawa also said he believed that North Korea was in possession of nuclear warheads and medium range Rodong missiles capable of being delivered to any part of Japan.

"North Korea has taken a step toward a system whereby it can shoot without prior notice," said Mr Nakagawa, who resigned as finance minister two months ago after appearing to be drunk at a Group of Seven press conference in Rome, "We have to discuss countermeasures."

His comments were made after North Korea announced plans to resume its nuclear programme in protest against a United Nations statement condemning its satellite rocket launch earlier this month.

A nation with a famously pacifist constitution since the end of the Second World War, Japan currently endorses a three-point policy of not possessing, producing or allowing entry of nuclear weapons into the country.

On Monday, the Japanese government moved swiftly to distance itself from Mr Nakagawa's comments, emphasising its stance against possession of nuclear weapons.

Takeo Kawamura, chief cabinet secretary, said: "It's impossible for Japan to get nuclear weapons. [ ] "Japan also has the obligation of observing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, under which it would not produce nor obtain nuclear weapons."

However, it is not the first time that a politician has discussed the possibility of allowing the possession nuclear arms weapons and debated whether this would be permitted within the constitution.

Shinzo Abe, a former prime minister, and chief cabinet secretary, Yasuo Fukuda, are among high profile politicians who have previously stated that Japan's pacifist constitution does not preclude the acquisition of nuclear weapons for tactical defence purposes.

Japan plans to produce more than 40 per cent of its electricity with nuclear energy by next year.